The following is a statement from former U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, lead author of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Federal Parity Law) and founder of The Kennedy Forum:

“I applaud President-elect Biden’s decision to nominate Boston Mayor Marty Walsh as Labor Secretary. As a person living in long-term sobriety who is known within the Recovery movement as someone who is always there to offer a helping hand, Mayor Walsh understands the critical importance of access to treatment services.

“I’m confident his background and personal experience will be a tremendous asset to the important role that the office of Secretary of the Department of Labor plays in overseeing employer-based health insurance coverage for tens of millions of Americans.

“By prioritizing enforcement of the Federal Parity Law, Mayor Walsh will be able to take aggressive actions to ensure that working Americans can get the mental health and addiction care they need, covered by their health plans.”